Murder trial begins in fatal stabbing at Texas high school track meet

Nineteen-year-old Karmelo Anthony has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf.

(NBC)- A murder trial that has drawn national attention began this week in North Texas, where a teenager is accused of fatally stabbing another student during a high school track meet.

Nineteen-year-old Karmelo Anthony has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the death of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf, who was stabbed in the chest during the incident last year.

Prosecutors described the stabbing as an unjustified and provoked killing, arguing Anthony encouraged a confrontation before fatally attacking Metcalf after being pushed.

Defense attorneys contend Anthony acted in self-defense, arguing Metcalf made physical contact first.

Jurors were shown surveillance video of the incident during the opening day of testimony.

According to NBC Dallas reporter Maria Guerrero, the footage showed one person pushing another before a figure identified as Anthony moved farther into the bleachers and then ran from the area before later being apprehended.

Metcalf’s mother was seen wiping away tears as jurors watched the video.

Outside the courthouse, demonstrators gathered as tensions surrounding the case continued to grow.

Prosecutors have maintained the case is not about race, but the makeup of the jury has become a point of controversy.

The panel of 12 jurors and six alternates includes five women of color and 13 white men and women. There are no Black jurors serving on the panel.

Some protesters said that raises concerns about fairness.

“We’re seeing oppression, we’re seeing this over and over again. We are tired, and we’re saying enough is enough,” said Carol Harrison-Lafayette of Community Step Up.

The trial is expected to last approximately two weeks.